{"slug":"ficus-macrophylla","scientific_name":"Ficus macrophylla","common_names":["Moreton Bay fig","Australian banyan"],"family":"Moraceae","type":"broadleaf_evergreen","mature_height_m":35,"mature_spread_m":25,"growth_rate":"medium","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":[9,11],"sun":"full_partial","water":"low","soil":"Clay, loam or sand of any pH; needs a very large root run","native_range":"Native to coastal rainforest of eastern Australia from the Shoalhaven River in New South Wales north through Queensland, and Lord Howe Island.","description":"A colossal evergreen fig, 30 to 40 m tall and 20 to 30 m across, starting life as a strangler and developing massive buttress roots and a dense rounded crown. The heritage figs of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide parks are this species, and grey-headed flying foxes and birds feast on the orange-purple figs. It is only suitable for very large open spaces; its roots lift paths and crack pipes.","care":"Plant well away from buildings, paving and drains; minimal watering once established. No regular pruning. Fruit drop is messy in summer and autumn. Fig wasps pollinate it. Needs frost-free or near frost-free conditions.","benefits":["shade","wildlife","birds","long_lived","drought_tolerant"],"uses":["parks"],"cautions":["large_roots","surface_roots","messy_fruit","heavy_litter"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG","image_credit":"Wikimedia Commons, file Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG (see file page for author and licence)","sources":["https://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/17878","https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ficus~macrophylla","https://www.gbif.org/species/5570636","https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-macrophylla/"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-macrophylla","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-macrophylla.md","regions":[{"country":"AU","region":"NSW","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ficus~macrophylla"},{"country":"AU","region":"QLD","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ficus~macrophylla"},{"country":"AU","region":"SA","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Planted in large old parks and gardens","source_url":"https://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/17878"},{"country":"AU","region":"VIC","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Widely planted in parks; heritage-listed specimens","source_url":"https://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/17878"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}